NFL Mock Draft 2018: Two-round projections

The NFL Draft has become a nice appetizer before our main course in September. A mock version of said draft is meant to educate, and even entertain. At very least, it helps you pass the time.

What follows is an early attempt at figuring out the best players available in this season's draft class, and which teams they'd match up well with considering the current draft order according to NFL.com.

Here's an updated version of my 2018 NFL Mock Draft, now through two rounds:

It’s clear new GM John Dorsey will not favor the analytical approach like the previous regime and likely wants a fresh start at quarterback. Darnold isn’t a flawless prospect — I’m a firm believer he would have benefited from another year of seasoning at USC — but he possesses everything most scouts look for in a franchise quarterback. Where Kirk Cousins will end up certainly looms large over this first round. Top needs: QB, Edge, CB

This is the Giants’ highest selection in 37 years. They took a North Carolina linebacker named Lawrence Taylor with the second overall selection in 1981, not bad. This pick is either a trade, a quarterback or an offensive lineman and none of the tackles deserve to be taken this high. You may think this too high for a guard, but I’d take the unanimous All-American over 90 percent of the NFL’s guards right now. Top needs: OT, QB, LB

3. Indianapolis (4-12) — Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State, Sr.

The Colts need a significant upgrade to their pass rush as they finished with the second-fewest in the NFL (25) last season. Beyond a variety of moves off the edge, the Nagurski award winner (top defender) has proven capable of impacting games through his run defense and also on special teams (blocking kicks). Top needs: OT, OG, Edge

4. Cleveland from Houston (4-12) — Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn St., Jr.

Not bad, landing a potential franchise quarterback and running back to begin your draft. Barkley is a generational talent at the position and the most dynamic player in this draft. Top needs: QB, Edge, CB

Signing Kirk Cousins would free up John Elway to select the best player available here. Otherwise, the comparisons to Drew Brees make sense. If the Heisman winner were three or four inches taller, he’d likely be the top overall pick. Elway got a good look during Senior Bowl week. Top needs: QB, OT, FS

There’s no way the Jets can exit the first round without a quarterback — outside of signing Cousins in free agency. There are questions (personality, durability), but there’s no questioning his polished pro-ready skill-set. Top needs: QB, Edge, OT

The unanimous All-American is capable of playing both safety and cornerback at a high level, and is such a detail-oriented person, his teammates call him “Coach Saban’s son.” Top needs: S, RT, Edge

8. Chicago (5-11) — Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio St., Jr.

The Buckeyes have produced four first-rounders at cornerback the past four years. Ward is likely to make it five-for-five. He’s an impressive athlete whose only real weakness is his slight frame. Top needs: WR, ILB, CB

The 49ers can address other needs with their quarterback questions answered. Smith is built more like a strong safety — he’s 6-1, 225 pounds — than a linebacker. The modern NFL prefers its linebackers speedy and is willing to sacrifice size if the prospect features athleticism, physicality and football intelligence. The Bednarik finalist and Butkus award winner is blessed with all three. He’d pair nicely with Reuben Foster — or as a replacement depending on Foster’s legal issues. Top needs: WR, Edge, CB

10. Oakland (6-10) — Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech, Jr.

The Butkus Award finalist — the nation’s top linebacker — anchored one of the best defenses in college football (first in shutouts and third in scoring defense). His size, speed and athleticism are off the charts. Top needs: DT, Edge, CB

11. Miami (6-10) — Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma, Jr.

Brown is a gigantic force — he’s 6-8, 345 pounds — who has proven capable of subduing talented opponents on a weekly basis. There’s a chance he develops into a guard at the next level. Either way, an upgrade for the Dolphins. Top needs: OG, CB, FS

12. Cincinnati (7-9) — Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame, Sr.

The Bengals offensive line is in need of an epic overhaul. The AP first-team All-American is versatile — he has started double-digit games at both right and left tackle — and athletic in a massive package (6-foot-8, 315 pounds). His strength (run blocking) will suit the Bengals offense perfectly. Top needs: OG, OT, SS

The Redskins are moving on from Kirk Cousins with the trade (and contract extension) for Alex Smith. With quarterback out of the way, the Skins are free to address other needs. The 6-foot-5, 340-pound Pac-12 defensive player of the year might be the strongest prospect in the entire draft class and would have likely been a first-round selection had he left school a year ago. Top needs: ILB, WR, C

The Packers will likely draft multiple edge rushers this time around. Landry played defensive end for the Eagles, but is athletic enough to stand up and play outside linebacker in the NFL. Like Chubb, he’s capable of being an elite pass rusher and effective run defender, but will likely be had at a discount on draft day. Top needs: Edge, OL, TE

Williams missed seven games with a knee injury, but returned to his normal dominating form late in the season, showcasing top-ten talent — he allowed a single sack during his three seasons as a Longhorn. Top needs: QB, OT, C

16. Baltimore (9-7) — Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama, Jr.

The Ravens offense is a mess, and we all know General Manager Ozzie Newsome is mighty fond of Crimson Tide players. Ridley features explosive speed and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better route runner in college football. A rare combination. Top needs: WR, OG, Edge

The Chargers had the second-worst run defense in the NFL last season. The defensive MVP of the national title game is a dominant force in the middle who will draw blocks away from Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram as well. Top needs: OT, ILB, QB

18. Seattle (9-7) — Derwin James, SS, Florida St., So.

The Seahawks have no selections in the second or third round, which means GM John Schneider will likely trade down this round or completely out of it — something he has done four times since 2010. If they stay put, James would be a perfect replacement for Kam Chancellor. Much like the Seminoles themselves, James had a disappointing season, but few defensive backs can match his dynamic combination of speed, size, instincts and hitting ability. I imagine he will ace the combine in Indianapolis and his draft stock will soar from there. Top needs: Edge, RB, OL

19. Dallas (9-7) — Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU, So.

Wide receiver becomes the top priority if the Cowboys release Dez Bryant. Sutton is a matchup nightmare in the red zone — he has had at least nine touchdowns for three straight seasons — and has proven physical after the catch. He’s also a willing blocker. If he can develop as a route runner, watch out. Top needs: DT, WR, TE

20. Detroit (9-7) — Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan, Sr.

The “undersized” narrative following Hurst is similar to the one Aaron Donald dealt with in 2014. Hurst has been close to un-blockable at the collegiate level and could be the missing piece to an up-and-coming Lions defense. Top needs: Edge, RB, DT

It’s likely a team trades up to a pick higher than this to select Allen — that team could be the Bills with back-to-pick first rounders. Otherwise, he’s a nice fit here. Plenty of people have jumped off the Allen bandwagon. However, he still possesses the arm talent — check out the tape of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl or the Senior Bowl — and athletic ability that caused most scouts to fall head over heals last season. Top needs: DT, OL, Edge

A neck injury has forced Bills center Eric Wood into early retirement. Price is capable of playing anywhere on the interior. Top needs: DT, OL, Edge

23. L.A. Rams (11-5) — Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa, Jr.

If Trumaine Johnson leaves in free agency, a player like Jackson would be a solid replacement. He isn’t quite the size-speed prospect Alabama’s Fitzpatrick is, but his ball skills are second-to-none and his technique is flawless. Top needs: CB, Edge, OG

The Falcons have several defensive lineman who could leave during free agency. Phillips would be a fine replacement and a force against the run. Top needs: OG, DL, S

27. New Orleans (11-5) — Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota St., Sr.

Drew Brees hasn’t had a threat at tight end since the Saints traded Jimmy Graham. Goedert has the ability to work all three levels of the field. Top needs: OG, WR, LB

28. Pittsburgh (13-3) — Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE, Oklahoma, Sr.

Okoronkwo’s speed and explosiveness make him almost un-blockable off the edge, but his size — he’s 6-1, 245 pounds — could make him a hybrid inside-outside linebacker at the next level. Top needs: ILB, OT, FS

29. Jacksonville (10-6) — Will Hernandez, OG, Texas-El Paso, Sr.

Blake Bortles has proven to be an adequate “game manager” at times, but I’m sure the Jaguars expected much more when they selected him third overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. However, his eventual replacement will likely be found in free agency or by trade. Hernandez is a starter from day one. Top needs: QB, OG, TE

30. Minnesota (13-3) — Taven Bryan, DT, Florida, Jr.

There aren’t very many holes on this roster. The rich get richer on defense. Bryan is capable of playing inside or outside at a high level. Top needs: OG, QB, DL

31. New England (13-3) — Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio St., Jr.

The Patriots pass rush was inconsistent at best this season. Hubbard has the size and motor Bill Belichick covets in his edge rushers. Top needs: CB, Edge, QB

32. Philadelphia (13-3) — Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi St., Sr.

Considering Jason Peters’ uncertain future, securing some depth on the offensive line isn’t a bad idea. Rankin was likely a second round selection had he left school last season. He was a force for the Bulldogs in his return. Top needs: ILB, OT, DB

The Chargers have an opportunity to build an elite defense. Evans is a super athlete and versatile player who would be a significant upgrade to a glaring weakness. Top needs: OT, ILB, QB

49. N.Y. Jets from Seattle (9-7)— Brian O’Neill, OT, Pittsburgh, Jr.

50. Dallas (9-7)— R.J. McIntosh, DT, Miami, Jr.

51. Detroit (9-7)— Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego St., Sr.

52. Baltimore (9-7)— Rasheem Green, DE, USC, Jr.

53. Buffalo (9-7)— Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech, So.

54. Kansas City (10-6)— Malik Jefferson, ILB, Texas, Jr.

The co-Big 12 defensive player of the year was also named first-team All-Big 12, second-team All-American and a semifinalist for the 2017 Butkus Award recognizing the nation's best linebacker. Top needs: DB, WR, OL